Method and apparatus for gas-lift control



Nov. 20,1934. ,Y P. suBKow 1,931,477

' l METHOD ANDVAPPARATUKS FOR GAS-LIFT CONTROL Filed Feb.` 5, 1.952

v INI/ENT OR latenteo ove 20, E934 ArENT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GAS-LIFT CONTROL 15 Claims. (CL 103-23Z) FFlCE This invention relates to the regulation of gas said ovv tube, means that there is more oil introduction in the so-called gas-lift method per unit volume of gas therein, a greater volume of flowing deep wells, particularly oil Wells, and f of gas is required to elevate this oil and to prethe invention is an improvement on the co-pendvent retardation and possible cessation of iiow 5 ing applications, Serial Nos. 455,912 and 455,914, of fluid to the surface. Inversely, a decrease in 30 now Patents No. 1,907,608 and No. 1,856,892, rethe static head, again assuming a constant oil spectively. t, gravity, means less oil in the flow tube, requir- Gas-lift, asl now practiced, consists in passing ing less gas to elevate it, and, if gas introduction gas under pressure into a well containing a flow is not reduced, a Weste of gas energy reSUltS from lo tube so that the gas passes in a stream into the the unnecessary blowing f the E58 thlllgh Said 65 ow tube adjacent its lower end, and in-its pas- 110W tube.

' sage atomizes the oil entering into said flow tube, The maintenance of a constant g'aS-Oil ratio the atomized oil being carried to the surface in 0f the ilu-id mixture IOWHB from a Well iS 0f Seid gas Stream. The gas may be introduced great importance in that it insures most eicient I l either through the flow tube or through the casoil recovery as Well as economic saving in gas en- 70 ing, the. atomized oil being discharged from the ergy. Ihe control of gas may be made either at other of the two.` The function of the'gas is to the surface (as described in my Patent No. 1,907,- elevate the oil in the :flow tube and the amount 603), or preferablyat or near the point of inof introduced gas necessary forn the elevation of troduction 0f gas into the eduCtiOn pipe (as diS- 2o the oil is roughly proportional .to the Weight of Closed in Patent N0. 1,356,892) The 1835011 for 75 the column of fluid in the flow tube. eas regulation at a point near its introduction The present invention has for its general obinto the iiuid eductionI pipe is to avoid a time lag ject'the automatic regulation of the introduction in the regulation caused by the buil'er effect of of gas under pressure into the flow tube in proy the large gas volume in the casing.

portion to the rate of flow of oil into the tube, However, it has been,v found that the use of a 80 thus maintaining a constant and desired gas-oil regulating device actuated by and responsive only ratio in said flow tube. The term gas-oil ratio to the static pressure in the uid eduction pipe as used throughout this case may be del-med as does not produce 'sumciently accurate results. the ratio between the volume of gas used andY Thus, when awell is owing a uid cfa substanthe volume of oil discharged thereby. Another tially constant density, a slug of liquid of a high- 85 object of the invention is the regulation of the er or lower density entering into said fluid educintroduction of gas under pressure with respect tion pipe will not materially change the static to changes in density or specific gravity of the pressure, because the latter is equal to the total liquid entering said flow tube. weight of the fluid in the eduction pipe divided Very brieiiy stated these objects have been by the cross sectional area oi said pipe, plus the 90 attained by relying upon both static and dynamic friction caused by the passage of the iluid through pressures in the flow tube, as hereinafter more the pipe. As an example, in a well flowing from fully described, a pressure sensitive device being a depth of about 4000 feet at the rate of 500 barprovided in the lower end of the ow tube and rels per day and operating with a. gas-oil ratio opening against the stream, i. e. toward the diequal to 2500 and with a casing pressure of about 95 rection from which the mixed gas and oil stream 400 pounds per square inch, the now of a twoflows. y foot slug of pure oil into the fluid 4eduction pipe As pointed out in the above mentioned appliincreases the static pressure by less than one cations, the static pressure produced in the tubpound per square inch. The ordinary well ining of a well flowing by gas-lift may vary in restrument is not suiciently'sensitive to such small 100 spense to varying proportions of gas and oil held, changes. Therefore, if it weredesired to reguin said tubing, or in response to changes in total late the gas introduction in response only to such density or specific gravity of the fluid mixture, or changes in static pressure, it would be necessary assuming a constant rate of oil introduction, in to use devices which were highly sensitive; but

response to changes in the rate of introduction these would be too delicate for oil well operations. 105

, of gas into said tubing. Variations in static Furthermore,y it is` not always eflicient to operate pressure mayv also be produced by combinations under a constant gas-oil ratio. Thus, when the of the above causes, or by other causes. Since Speeie gravity 0f the liquid entering into th@ y an increase in the static pressure in the flow tube, lower end of a fluid eduction pipe suddenly inassuming a. UnifOrm gravity 0f Oil flowing into creases, for example due to the entrance of a slug 11o flow. Therefore, the disadvantages of using a gas regulating device responsive only to the static pressure in the eduction pipe may besummarized as: (1) the undesirable requirement of a very sensitive device, and (2) the inability to prevent retardation of flow when a large slug of heavier liquid enters the eduction pipe. Now, I have found 'that greater sensitivity an accuracy of regulation may be obtained by controlling the introduction of gas into the fluid eduction pipe in response to both static and dynamic pressures.. 'I'he dynamic pressure or kinetic energy generated in a iiuid eduction pipe is equal, per'unit quantity of fluid, to the density of the fluid multiplied by the square of the velocity of said fluid and divided by twice the rate of acceleration due to gravity, or

' vzd P- zg' The dynamic pressure may also be stated as being equal to the mass of iiuid multiplied by one-half the square of the velocity of said fluid, or P=1/ mv2. For this second equation the measure of the mass (which is a' function of the density of the fluid) is taken on the high pressure or under side of a measuring device located in the i eduction pipe, that is on the side toward the direction from which the gas-oil stream comes, and not from the low pressure side beyond the device as in the case of determining the static pressure. Since a change in the density of the iiuid passing through the iiuid eduction pipe changes the dynamic pressure and since such a change in dynamic pressure is of greater magnitude than the corresponding change in static pressure (as is obvious from the character of the above equation) such changes may be taken advantage of for purpos/e of prompt regulation, by using a device responsive to dynamic pressure changes. Thus, in the above example where the static pressure increased less than one pound per square inch, the dynamic pressure increased by more than l5 to 20 pounds per square inch. Again, when a slug of heavier liquid enters the liow tube the dynamic pressure changes immediately due to the change in mass, and the gas-oil ratio may be promptly increased thereby to prevent retardation of flow, whereas-the static pressure is not affected materially until a substantial portion of the uid in the flow tube is replaced by said heavier liquid.

Therefore, -a further object of the 'invention is to provide a method and means toV maintain a constant gas-oil ratio as long as the density of the inflowing liquid remains substantially the same, and to vary said gas-oil ratio in response to changes in density of the liquid. Or, stated otherwise, this object is to regulate the flow of gasl under pressure into the flow tube in response to changes in the amount and specific gravity of the liquid flowing through said tube. Such regulation will take place even where quantities of water or other foreign matter enter the fiow tube.

The above and other objects are` attained by providing at or near the bottom of the eduction tube a regulating means constantly responsive both to the static pressure of the mixture of oil and ygas rising in the tube and to the dynamic pressure of th'e mixture passing by said regulating means, such means being operative to regulate automatically the' introduction of gas under Pre-*i-` sure into said eduction tube in proportion to the variations in both static and dynamic pressures. Thus, constant and prompt regulation of the volli ume of gas under pressure introduced into the ow tube in relationto the amount and character of oil and gas flowing through it will be obtained.

Brieiiy stated, the invention-may therefore be said to reside broadly in a method, and in a device with which to carry on sucha method, for regulating the flow of gas under pressure into the flow tube in proportion to variations in the total pressure in said i'low tube, said total pressure being thev` sum of the static and dynamic pressures. The invention further resides in a method and means for maintaining a constant gas-oil ratio in a flow tube of a well operating by gas lift as` ture in the flow tube to regulate the introduction of gas directly into the lower portion of said flow tube in relation and in proportion to the total pressure'.

The invention further comprises means associated with a flow tube and responsive to both the static and dynamic pressures, `in combination with means controlled by the responsive means toregulate the inflow of gas into said ow tube in response to variations in either or both the static head and dynamic pressure. More particularly stated, the invention comprises one or more Pitot tubes installed adjacent the lower end of the iiow tube and opening downward therein, said Pitot tubes transmitting bothv the variations in the static head in the iiow tube and the variations in the dynamic pressure at said Pitot tubes, a'gas-supply v'alve opening from the well casing into the iiow tube, and means operatively connected to the Pitot tubes to operate the valve in response tothe changes in the combined static head and dynamic'pressure.

The term Pitot tube as used throughout this case is to be understood to mean a device'which automatically and constantly measures and transmits both the static head of the uid above it in the fluid eduction pipe or tubing and the dynamic pressure in said pipe or tubing at the point where the device opens thereinto. In the preferred form of construction I prefer to use a plurality of Pitot tubes which open into the eduction pipe and point downward into the up-coming stream and which also open into a narrow airtight annular tube encircling the pipe,` said annular tube communicating with a sylphon bellows or the like capable of imparting motion to the gas valve upon changes in pressure. By the term sylphon bellows I meany a resilient metallic bellows expansible and contractible in response to pressure changes exerted4 thereon. It is used herein to transmit changes in total pressure or head. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any other pressure transmitting agency, such as a diaphragm or movable piston, may be used in its stead. Also, other devices, such as a Venturi tube, may be used instead of a Pitot tube to measure the total pressure in the ow pipe.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates different embodiments, and wherein Fig. 1 is an elevation partly in vertical section showing a-controlling device positioned in a well djiicent 'thelower end of a gas induction pipe for constantly controlling gas flow into the fluid eduction pipe;

Fig. 2 is a section along line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 indicates a similar type of a device mounted on the lower portion of a flow tube depending in a well casing;

Fig. 4 is a section along line 4.4 of Fig. 3; and

,Fig. 5 shows another modication `in which the annular space between the flow tube and well casing is packed below the gas inlet to the flow tube.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the gas controlling device is positioned within a well casing land is attached to the lower end of a depending gas induction pipe 11. An annular ring 12 xed on the outside of said induction pipe 111 is provided with a plurality of Pitot tubes 13 opening thereinto at 14. The opposite ends i5 of said tubes 13 open into the annular oil space 16 between the gas induction pipe 11 and the well casing 10, and point downward against the stream therein to measure and transmit to the ring 12 the combined static and, the dynamic pressure of the uid passing through space 16. The ring 12 is connected by a nipple 17 to a sylphon bellows 18 placed in a pressure-tight chamber 19 rigidly attached tothe side of the induction pipe 11. A rod 20 is connected at its top to a plate 21 held against the lower surface of the bellows 18 by the action of a spring "22, thev lower end of said rod 20 passing through the bottom o chamber 19 and being hinge-connected at 23 to a lever 24 of a rotary valve 25 installed in the gas induction pipe 11. The bottom of the gas induction pipe l1 has any type of discharge nozzle 26 for the introduction and distribution of high pressure gas from the gas induction pipe 11 into said annular oil space 16 which is supplied with oil from the oil-producing formation. To pre- -vent the accumulation of pressure in the chamber 19 around the bellows 18, which pressure rod 20 is welded at2 '1 to a small sylphon bellows 28 sealed on chamber 19 and adapted to expand and contract as the rod 20 is moved by the bellows 18.

The device functions as follows:

Assuming that at the beginning of the gas-lift operation a relatively high column of oil exists in the annular space 16, the head creates a relatively high static pressure in the sylphon bellows 18, as transmitted thereto by Pitot tubes 13, annular ring 12 and nipple 11. rI 'his increased static pressure expands the sylphon bellows 18 against the tension inthespring 22, pushes the rod 20 downwardly and actuates the lever- 24 toppen the rotaryy valve 25, thus introducing high pressure gas from the induction pipe 11 through the nozzles 26 and into the oil in the annular spaceqlB. As soon as the introduced gas begins to lighten the columnof oil and gas in said annular space by discharge of a partially collapses, thusraising the rod 20, ro-

tating valve 25' and throttling down the amount of high pressure, gas discharged throughvnozzles 26. Now, as stated above, if the rate of oil en tering v into the annular space 16 suddenly increases,A the static pressure' does not change sumciently,7 but the dynamic pressure of the oil mass moving against the openings 15 of the Pitotv tubes 13 increases'materially. Therefore; the passagel o! such a mass or slug of oil increases'thepreslannular space 16, the ldynamic pressure immediately increases,` thus opening valve 25 and introducing an excess quantity of high pressure' gas to prevent retardation of ow. By providing a spring 22 of proper tension it is possible to regulate and maintain a constant gas-oil ratio in the flow pipe as long as the density of the-liquid entering thereinto remains constant, and it is also possible to change said gas-oil ratio in response to changes in density, since the opening or closing of the Valve 25 is determined by the degree of expansion of the sylphon bellows 18 which, in turn, depends on the summation of static and dynamic pressures in the annular space 16 and on the tension of the spring 22. Sometimes, as in the case where the casing is too large' orwhere the rate of oil flow is coml paratively small, it lis advantageous to reverse the flow so that the casing is used for the introduction of high pressure gas', vwhile the' tube de-` pending therein is used as a flow pipe. Such arrangement is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, wherein 1 the pipe 11a is the flow tube or eduction pipe and the regulating device is attached near its iower end. In this case the annular ring v12a is fixed on pipe 11a. and is provided with a plurality of Pitot tubes 13a extending into pipe 11a and openl ing downward against the gas-oil stream. As in the other form, ring 12a is connected by nipple 17 with sylphon bellows 18 positioned in closed. chamber 19 attached to the' outer wall of eduction pipe 11d, the bellows operating against the action 1 of the spring 22 to actuate rod 20. the other end of which in turn actuates lever 24 and valve 25. The valve 25 is positioned in a gas pipe 31 provided With along section 32 extending vupwardly within the annular space 16a to position its upper 1 intake end 34 above the level of the oil surging within the well casing. The other end of pipe 31 extends within eduction tube 11a and is equipped with any rform of discharge nozzle 33 directed upward with the stream. The operation of this 1 arrangement is identical with that described in conjunction with Figs. 1 and 2, the Pitot tubes 13a transmitting the total pressure within the flow pipe 11a to the sylphon bellows 18 which by means oi' rod 20 operates lever 24 to control the 1 amount of gas introduced from the annular space 16a through nozzle 33. In wells where slugs of water frequently ente the eduction pipe it is sometimes necessary to maintain the gas in the casing at a higher pressure than the operating pressure required to lift the oil so as to be able to introduce gas into said eduction pipe under such higher pressure when entrance of said slugsof water occurs. In that 1 case it is necessary to close the annular spacebetween the outer easing and the flow tube, such a device being shown in 5. In this modication the outer casing 10 is provided with an annular beveled seat 35. while the eduction pipe 1 11a carries a beveled closure plate 36 held in place on saidl flow tube by locking means 37. With this arrangement it is possible to eliminate the long section of pipe attached to pipe 31 as well as to permit the maintenance of a high gas pressure 1 in the annular space without driving the oil from the well back into the formation.

The above disclosures are to be considered not as limiting but merely as illustrative, since many variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made within the scope of -the following claims.

I claim:

1. A gas-lift method comprising supplying a gas to a well and into the lower end of a uid eduction pipe whereby liquid in the well is elevated through said tube, measuring directly the dynamic pressure and indirectly the density at the point of entry of liquid into said tube, and varying the rate of supply of gas to the eduction tube in response to changes in said measured dynamic pressure and density of the liquid entering said tube at the time of entry of different gravity liquid into the tube, whereby a constant gas-oil ratio is maintained in the eduction tube.

2. A method for maintaining a constant gasoil ratio in a uid eduction pipe of a gas-lift well including the steps of measuring direct by dynamic pressure in said pipe and automatically varying the supply of gas into said fluid eduction pipe in proportion to th variations in said measured dynamic pressure therein.

3. A gas-lift method for maintaining a constant gas-oil ratio/in oil wells comprising applying gas under pressure to an eduction tube for discharging oil through the tube, continuously measuring in said tube the summation of static pressure indirectly and dynamic pressure directly, and continuously regulating the ow of gas into the tube in response -to variations in the sum of said measured pressures.

4,'In a gas-lift method for flowingy oil wells through a fluid eduction pipe by introducing gas under pressure thereinto and maintaining a c onstant gas-oil ratio therein, the steps of automatically measuring at substantially the lower end of the eduction pipe indirectly the static pressure within said pipe and directly the dynamic pressure at said point of measurement, and of continuously controlling the ow of gas into said pipe in proportion to changes in the sum of said pressures.

5. A method for maintaining a constant gasoil ratio comprising applyingl gas to an eduction pipe to lift liquid through said pipe, measuring substantially at the point of said gas introduction the static pressure of the liquid indirectly and the dynamic pressure thereof directly, and continuously regulating the ilow of 'gas adjacent its point of introduction to the eduction pipe and in response to variations in both of said static and dynamic pressures.

6. In combination with a gas induction pipe and a uid eduction pipe communicating with each other, means associated with said i'luid i eduction pipe responsive directly to the dynamic pressure therein and independent of the pressure in the gas induction pipe, and means operatively connected with the pressure responsive means toV directly to static and dynamic ,pressures therein..

means to supply gas to said pipe, a valve inthe gas supply adjacent the point of introduction of gas into said eduction pipe, and means operatively connecting the pressure responsive means with said va1`ve,said pressure responsive means therebyl actuating said valve to maintain a substantially continuous inflow of gas into said pipe in response to the combined static and dynamic pressures in the pipe.

9. A gas-lift device comprising, in combination, a uid eduction pipe connected at one end with a uid supply, means associated with said pipe and responsive respectively, indirectly and directly to static and dynamic pressures therein,

means to supply gas to said pipe, a valve in the gas supply adjacent the point of introduction of gas into said eduction pipe, and means operatively connected With the pressure responsive means to maintain a substantially continuous inflow of gas into said pipe in direct proportion to the-combined static and dynamic pressures in the pipe.'

10. In a gas-lift device, a gas induction and a iluid eduction pipe communicating with each other, means associated with said fluid eduction pipe andfresponsive respectively indirectly and directly to uctuations in the static and dynamic pressures of uid in the eduction pipe, a conduit to supply gas to said eduction pipe from said induction pipe, and means at the point of gas introduction into said eduction pipe and operatively connected with the pressure responsive means to regulate the rate of introduction of gas from the gas induction pipe in direct proportion to fluctuations of both static and dynamic pressures in said eduction pipe and independently of variations of applied gas pressure.

11. In combination with a gas induction pipe and a fluid-'eduction pipe communicating with each other, a Pitot tube associated with said fluid eduction pipe and responsive to both the static and dynamic pressures therein, and means connected with the Pitot tube to regulate the inilow of high pressure gas in response to the combined static and dynamic pressure in the eduction pipe.

12. In a gas-lift device, a gas induction pipe and fluid eduction pipe communicating with each other, a Pitot tube arrangement responsive to uctuations in the static and dynamic pressures in the lower portion of said eduction pipe, a valve to control ow of gas `from the induction pipe to the eduction pipe, the valve being located near the point of gas introduction into said eduction pipe, and means operatively connected with said Pitot tube arrangement to regulate said valve to vary the introduction of gas into said eduction pipe in proportion to said iiuctuations.

13. In combination with a gas induction pipel and a iiuid eduction pipe communicating with each other, a Pitot tube arrangement adjacent the lower end of said eduction 4pipe and responsive to the iiuctuations in static pressure therewithin and to dynamic lpressure at said Pitot tube, a conduit opening from the gas induction pipe into the fluid eduction pipe, a valve on said conduit, anda mechanical connection between the Pitot tube and the valve to regulate the introduction 'of gas through said valve and 4into saidreduction 'pipe in proportion to fluctuations in total. pressure transmitted by said Pitot tube.

14. In a well flowing by gas-lift, a device for maintaining a constant gas-oil ratio as long as the liquidl flowing therethrough remains of -a substantially constant density and for changingsaid gas-oil ratio in proportion to changes in said density, comprising a uid eductionvpipe, means to supply gas under pressure to said'pipe, a Pitot tube. arrangement openingr into-said eduction pipe and pointing against the stream therein, means aetuable by said Pitot; tube arrangement, and a valve at the point of gas introduction into said eduction pipe operatively connected with andV controlled by said actuable means to vary the rate of gas introduction into said pipe in proportion to variations in both static and dynamic pressures.

'15.- In combination with a well casing, a ow tubing depending therein, closure means adjacent the lower end of the tubing to close the annular space between the casing and tubing. a Pitot tube located above the closure means( and opening into vthe tubing, means actuable by "said Pitot tube, and a valve above said closure means and controlled by said actuable means to vary the ratepf as introduction into said tubing in proportion to variations in total pressure therein.

i PHILIP sUBKoW.

CERTIFICATE or `oomsicTIoN.

raient No. 1,981,477.

November .'20, 1934.

PHILIP sUK0W.

It `isfiiereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above' numbered patent requiring correction as follows: 2,1'501 "directby"'read directly; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read Page line 23, claim with this correction therein that tiie same may conform to tbe'record of the` case in the Patent .ifca

Signed and sealed this 8th of January, IA, D. 1935.

Lesl ie yFrazer *Acting Commissioner of Patents.

said gas-oil ratio in proportion to changes in said density, comprising a uid eductionvpipe, means to supply gas under pressure to said'pipe, a Pitot tube. arrangement openingr into-said eduction pipe and pointing against the stream therein, means aetuable by said Pitot; tube arrangement, and a valve at the point of gas introduction into said eduction pipe operatively connected with andV controlled by said actuable means to vary the rate of gas introduction into said pipe in proportion to variations in both static and dynamic pressures.

'15.- In combination with a well casing, a ow tubing depending therein, closure means adjacent the lower end of the tubing to close the annular space between the casing and tubing. a Pitot tube located above the closure means( and opening into vthe tubing, means actuable by "said Pitot tube, and a valve above said closure means and controlled by said actuable means to vary the ratepf as introduction into said tubing in proportion to variations in total pressure therein.

i PHILIP sUBKoW.

CERTIFICATE or `oomsicTIoN.

raient No. 1,981,477.

November .'20, 1934.

PHILIP sUK0W.

It `isfiiereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above' numbered patent requiring correction as follows: 2,1'501 "directby"'read directly; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read Page line 23, claim with this correction therein that tiie same may conform to tbe'record of the` case in the Patent .ifca

Signed and sealed this 8th of January, IA, D. 1935.

Lesl ie yFrazer *Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

